You might think you know about herpes and protecting yourself from the virus. However, with 2 out of 3 adults carrying the infection, it turns out that the world isn't as informed as we think. In this article, we discuss about a few myths about herpes so you have a better idea of what the condition is all about.

If you have herpes, you’ll know that you're infected: It is worth mentioning that herpes is categorized as an asymptomatic condition, which means it may or may not show any characteristic symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms are hidden or they're so mind that most people tend to ignore them. It is always a better idea to get tested for herpes from time to time, especially if you have a happening sex life.

You cannot get herpes if you use a condom: While there is no doubt about the fact that condoms protect against transmission of sexually transmitted infections, they're not know to provide complete immunity against viruses such as the HSV. It is also worth mentioning that herpes can be spread by direct contact with the infected region so penetrative sex isn't the only way it spreads.

People living with herpes are always contagious: The chances of transmission of the herpes virus are highest in the event of an outbreak. This means getting physically intimate with an individual who has active lesions would put you at a greater risk of contracting the infection. As a rule, it is advised to avoid engaging in any kind of sexual activity when your partner is experiencing an outbreak.

Herpes causes complications with pregnancy: Having herpes has no impact with your ability to get pregnant. If you have the herpes virus prior to getting pregnant, the chances of giving it to the unborn child are bleak. However, if you contact the infection towards the end of your pregnancy and the virus is present in your genitals, there are chances of transmitting. It is worth stating that this happens only in 2% of the cases.

Only promiscuous people get herpes: This is certainly not the case since it takes only one person to give you the virus. However, it goes without saying that people who engage in casual sex with unknown persons or maintain too many sexual relationships are at a higher risk of contracting the virus even when they're using adequate protection.

We hope this article clears the air and eliminates all the misconceptions pertaining to herpes and its transmission.